Belilew Molla Gebre

This study was conducted with the objective of investigating the practice of teaching early reading comprehension. The study was carried out in sixty-six Grade 2 government primary schools found in SNNPR State in Gedeo zone,Ethiopia, in the academic year 2015. Sixty-six English language teachers were subjects of the study. The study employed mixed method, specifically QUANT-QUAL one. Data were collected using questionnaires, observation and interview. Sixty-six of the teachers (one teacher from each selected school) who were teaching English in Grade 2 completed the questionnaire. Ten of the teachers were observed while they were teaching reading to see how they were teaching reading and six of the teachers were interviewed. Data from questionnaires, classroom observations and interview were categorized and descriptively analyzed using frequency and percentage. The data were analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The findings revealed that teachers failed to implement the teaching of early reading according to the theories and principles of teaching early reading. Teachers were seen using inappropriate reading techniques and procedures in the mentioned grade level. The study also revealed that teachers are deficiently trained in phonological awareness, phonics instruction, comprehension, fluency and vocabulary.

This study was conducted to identify self-directed and external professional development obstacles facing primary school EFL teachers in Southern Zone of Tigray Region in Ethiopia. The participants of the study were 63 primary school EFL teachers, 10 school principals and 2 clusters of supervisors. School teachers were selected using random sampling technique whereas school principals and cluster supervisors were selected by using purposive sampling. To gather data for the study, questionnaires and semi-structured interview were used. The results of the study revealed that lack of interest, having dissatisfaction in their job, unattractive salary, lack of knowledge and skills in doing action research and misunderstanding of the concept of CPD and how to do it were the major self-directed obstacles of professional development activities. The study also revealed that in adequate in-service training, supervisors’ lack of knowledge, skills and expertise in teaching English as a foreign language, work load, and lack of support and recognition from stakeholders were the major external obstacles of professional development.